Automatio temperature-actuated refrigerant-regulating valve



E. E. SNADER UTOMATIC'TEMPERATURE ACTUATED'REFRIGERANT REGULATING VALVE Filed June 9. 1926 2 sheets-sheet 1 z I Si Inventor EES/Za Attorney A 1,6 e, 4 July 26,1927. E. E SNADER 3 87 AUTOMATIC TEMPERATURE ACTUATED REFRIQERANT BEGULATING VALVE ttorney Patented Iluly 26, 1927.

UNITED STATES EABL ENGLER SNADER, 0F WEBSTER GROVES, MISSOURI.

AUTOMATIC TEMPEATURE-ACTUATED REFRIGERANT-REGULATING VALVE.

Application sied :une 9,

This invention relates to an automatic regulating valve for use in automatic refrigerating systems forv rooms where two or more units are fed by one automatic expan- 5 sion valve as in the case of direct expansion systems. Y

Briefly, the improved valve embodies Aan especially constructed casing with which sections of the main refrigerant line are connected, there being a slotted cylinder arranged in the path of travel of the refrigerant together with a slotted sleeve arranged in this cylinder, the sleeve being moved in one direction by spring pressure and in an i5 opposite direction by an automatically operable thermostat.

arrangement and association will be made apparent by considering the following de` zo scription and drawing.

In the drawing l Figure 1 represents 9, View in section and elevation ofl a regulating valve constructed in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a section on the line Figure 1.

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic viewl showing two of the 'valves in the system.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the reference character 1 designates enerally the casing which is somewhat glo ular in general configuration, the same being provided on its interior with a partition 2 and at its ends with pipe connections 3 and 4 respectively. It might be stated here that the main refrigerant line is connected with the connection 3 and the refrigerant passes therethrough in a direction from left to right and discharges through a main refrigerant conducting pipe which is also connected vwith the connection 4. The casing includes an upstanding neck 5 provided with an annular groove in its top for accommodating a supporting fiange on a ring-like head 6. Depending from this head is a cylindrical valve guide 7, which as before stated, is provided with slots arranged in superposed vertically vspaced relation to torni ports for passage of the refrigerant. A slidable valve sleeve 8 is fitted snugly and slidably in this guide and includes slots adapted to register with those in the guide. The valve sleeve is ordinarily pressed upwardly a coiled spring 9, the tension of which is adjusted by a hand wheel 10.

Resting on an upftanding circular rib on e5 2-2 of 1926. Serial No. 114,726.

top of the head 6 is a diaphragm 11 which in turn supports an annulus 12.v 'Moreoven the annulus in turn supports another dia phragm 13 and suitable packing vmaterial 14 is confined within this annulus and lbetween the two diaphragins. f As before stated,.the valve sleeve is moved in one direction by a thermostat'l of the bellows type, or other temperature actuated contracting and expanding element. This thermostat is provided with a suitableprotecting casino 16 where necessary, havin a iiexible diapllnagm end bearing on iai phragm 13 which in turn bears on stem 17, which in turn bears on diaphragm 11, which is in bearing contact'withl the top portion of The particular details and their relative slidable sleeve 18. It is to be noted that c. there is no connection between the thermostat casing and sliding sleeve other than the bearing upon and thereby being in contact with it through the stem 17 which is an invdependent piece to maintain the same space between the diaphragms under all conditions. The thermostat and its casing are arranged in an appropriately designed housing 19 having a base 2O suitably connected in place. In addition, this housing includes a screw threaded portion 21 and 22 which in practice connects a box coil to valve housing 19 and from the valve housing to a point just beyond the regulating' valve, on the main refrigerating line respectively.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art to whichA the invention relates that the regulating valve is installed in the main refrigerant line 23 on the discharge side of the expansion valve 24. Moreover, it is obvious that. the fluid passes from the compressor pump 25, through the condenser 26, receiver 27, and piping 28 to and through the expansion valve in direct expansion systems, or cooler in brine systems, and enters the valve at a point 3 and passes through the registering slots in the valve and valve guide and 10o out through the discharge 4. However, since one end of the piping ofthe box coil 29 is connected with the housing 19 at Z1, it is obvious that the temperature will serve to automatically expand and contract the ther 105 Inostat 15 in an obvious manner. As .shown in the drawing, the thermostat is contracted and therefore the valve S is completely open. However, when it is expanded from a risc in temperature, the valve sleeve moves down- 110 wardly against the tension of the spring 9 and partially or completely cuts ott' the flow of Huid through the Valve' according to `the particular conditionsexperienced. The

valve is of course primarily intended to produce. a throttling effect in the system and it is not intended to provide a gas-ti ht'or tiuid tight valve, but merely one whih will generate enough friction to shunt a part of the refrigerant through the coil. It will be noted that the chamber in the housing 19 in which the thermostat is located is exposed to the temperature of the returning refrigerant, and it is obvious that when the return refrigerant is cold, the room is proportionately cool, and when the temperature of the return refrigerant rises, a degree .or more, v the room temperature rises proportionatel While the drawing shows the thermostat ful y contracted, it is obvious that at the time the cooling process is started in the room, the thermostat will be expanded, and in so doing will push the valve sleeve downward, sub stantially closing the control valve.

The method of installation and operation, together with the arrangement of details is no doubt clear from the description. Therefore, a more lengthy disclosure is deemed unnecessary. p

Minor changes coming within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to if desired.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an automatic regulating valve of the class described, a casing having a partition therein, a cylindrical valve guide extending through an opening formed in said partition, said guide being provided with slots, a spring pressed valve sleeve slidably mounted in said guide and having slots cooperating with the first named slots, a pair of spaced flexible diaphragme, a thermostat bearing on said valve sleeve through the medium of said diaphragms for moving the sleeve in a direction against the tension of'the spring.

2. In an automatic regulating valve of the class described, a casing having a partition therein, a cylindrical valve guide extending through an o ening formed in said parti tion, said guilde being provided with slots', a spring pressed valve sleeve slidably n1ounted in said guide and having slots coo erating with the first named slots, a pair o spaced flexible diaphragmsf a thermostat bearing on said valve sleeve through the medium of said diaphragms for moving the sleeve in a direction against the tension of the spring, and a housing for said thermostat provided with pipe connections for subjecting the thermostat to varying tem eratures.

In testimony whereof I a X my signature.

EARL ENGLER I,SNADER 

